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Sodium chloride is the chemical name for salt. Sodium chloride can reduce some types of bacteria in certain body secretions, such as saliva.

Sodium chloride inhalation is used to produce sputum (mucus, or phlegm) from the mouth to help improve lung function in people with cystic fibrosis, or to collect sputum for medical testing. This medication may also be used to dilute other medications inhaled through a nebulizer.

Sodium chloride inhalation may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Sodium chloride is the chemical name for salt. Sodium is an electrolyte that regulates the amount of water in your body. Sodium also plays a part in nerve impulses and muscle contractions.

Sodium chloride is used to treat or prevent sodium loss caused by dehydration, excessive sweating, or other causes.

Sodium chloride may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Sodium chloride is the chemical name for salt. Sodium chloride can reduce some types of bacteria.

Sodium chloride flush is used to clean out an intravenous (IV) catheter, which helps prevent blockage and removes any medicine left in the catheter area after you have received an IV infusion.

Sodium chloride may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Before you use sodium chloride, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and allergies. Also make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In some cases, you may not be able to use sodium chloride, or you may need to adjust your dose or take special precautions.

You should not take sodium chloride if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it, or if you have high sodium levels in your blood.

Before you take sodium chloride, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, fluid retention (especially around your legs or your lungs), congestive heart failure, preeclampsia of pregnancy if you are on a low-salt diet, or if you are allergic to any foods or drugs.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Stop using sodium chloride and call your doctor at once if you have stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, or swelling in your hands or feet.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using sodium chloride.

Call your doctor or tell your caregivers if your catheter, needle, or IV tubing becomes blocked or if the flush or IV medicine is not flowing normally.

Stop using sodium chloride flush and call your doctor at once if you have severe irritation, swelling, warmth, redness, oozing, or pain around your catheter while using the flush.

You should not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to sodium chloride.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

asthma;

heart disease or high blood pressure;

epilepsy;

kidney or liver disease;

migraine headaches;

any type of edema (swelling);

if you have recently had surgery; or

if you are on a low-salt diet.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether sodium chloride inhalation is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether sodium chloride passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

You should not take sodium chloride if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it, or if you have high sodium levels in your blood.

To make sure you can safely take sodium chloride, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

high blood pressure;

kidney disease;

liver disease (especially cirrhosis);

a buildup of fluid around your lungs (also called pleural effusion);

fluid retention (especially swelling in your ankles or feet );

congestive heart failure;

if you are pregnant and you have high blood pressure and fluid retention (also called preeclampsia);

if you are allergic to any foods or drugs; or

if you are on a low-salt diet.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether sodium chloride will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether sodium chloride passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Before using sodium chloride flush, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs.

Sodium Chloride (Generic) Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Other common side effects may include a salty taste or slight burning or irritation in your mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using sodium chloride and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

nausea and vomiting;

stomach pain; or

swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using sodium chloride flush and call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects while using the flush:

severe irritation;

swelling;

warmth;

redness;

oozing; or

pain.

Less serious side effects may include mild irritation around the catheter.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Sodium Chloride (Generic) Interactions

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with sodium chloride, especially:

potassium supplements;

a diuretic or "water pill";

a steroid such as prednisone, fluticasone, mometasone, dexamethasone, and others;

blood pressure medication; or

medication that contains sodium, such as Alka-Seltzer or Zegrid (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with sodium chloride, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

There may be other drugs that can interact with sodium chloride. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on sodium chloride used to flush your catheter. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Sodium Chloride (Generic) Dosage

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Sodium chloride inhalation is given using a nebulizer. You will inhale the medication through a face mask, mouth piece, or other device connected to the nebulizer.

Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider can show you how to properly use the nebulizer.

Sodium chloride is a liquid that is placed into the medication chamber of the nebulizer. A mouthpiece or face mask is then attached to the drug chamber, along with an air compressor.

To prepare for inhaling sodium chloride through a nebulizer, you may be given another inhaled medication to prevent bronchospasm (muscle contractions within the airways of the lungs). Your doctor may also ask you to blow your nose, rinse your mouth with water, or wipe the inside of your mouth with a tissue. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully for best results.

In most cases, you will use this medication while you are sitting upright in a comfortable position. Breathe slowly and evenly while you are using the mask, mouthpiece, or other breathing device. You may also be given a nose clip to wear that will close your nasal passages so that you inhale only through your mouth.

If you are using this medication as part of a sputum test, you will need to spit about every 5 minutes or as directed by your healthcare provider. Cough deeply from your chest to produce an optimal specimen for testing.

Continue breathing through the nebulizer for as long as directed by your doctor. Once you have completed the inhalation for the prescribed amount of time, throw away any liquid that is left in the medicine chamber. Do not save it for later use.

If you store sodium chloride at home, keep it at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Sodium chloride may be taken with or without food.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using sodium chloride.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or more often than recommended.

You will use sodium chloride flush each time you use your IV catheter. Follow your doctor's instructions about how many times per day to use the flush.

Before using the flush, check the solution container to make sure there are no leaks in it. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Call your doctor or tell your caregivers if your catheter, needle, or IV tubing becomes blocked or if the flush or IV medicine is not flowing normally.

Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Store sodium chloride at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep all of your catheter flush supplies in a clean dry place when not in use.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Since sodium chloride inhalation is sometimes used only as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you use flush your catheter each time you use it, you are not likely to miss a dose.

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